5 Buccaneers we can safely call busts after the 2023 season

4. Payne Durham, TE

Let's first be fair. Rookie tight ends rarely contribute much. Although, Sam LaPorta and Dalton Kincaid would beg to differ. But, no one would have expected Payne Durham, as a fifth-round pick, to come in and set the offense on fire.

However, let's put things into perspective. The Bucs need a playmaker at tight end. Cade Otton is fine, but he's hit his ceiling. There isn't much more you can ask him to do.

Durham played 15 percent of offensive snaps, while Ko Kieft played 20 percent. Sure, neither one of them were much of a factor. But, Durham had his shot to come in and make his presence felt. In college, he had put up over 1,000 receiving yards and 14 receiving touchdowns over his last two seasons at Purdue. He was used to being a huge factor in that offense.

As a rookie, though, things fell down to earth as they typically do for rookie tight ends. Tampa Bay should be in search for a playmaker at tight end this offseason, and Durham's opportunity to be that guy is already running thin.